Question 1

The large group of interest to the researcher is called the population or the universe.

Accepted Answer

The large group of interest to the researcher is called the population or the universe.

Question 2

A census means that only a selected portion of the entire population is surveyed.

Accepted Answer

A census is meant to survey the entire population, not just a selected portion.

Question 3

A sample is the term that refers to the group surveyed any time the survey is not administered to all members of the population.

Accepted Answer

A sample is a representative subset of the population being studied. It is not necessary to survey every member of the population, as long as the sample is selected in a way that is representative and unbiased.

Question 4

Significant advantages of sampling include cost savings, time economy, more in-depth information, lower total error, greater practicality, and greater security.

Accepted Answer

Sampling allows researchers to collect data from a smaller subset of a population, which is often more cost-effective and efficient than collecting data from the entire population. It also allows researchers to gather more detailed information than they would be able to do if they had to collect data from the entire population. Additionally, sampling can lead to a lower total error than would be the case if researchers tried to collect information from everyone in the population. Finally, sampling can be more practical and secure than trying to collect information from everyone in the population, as it minimizes the risks associated with data collection.

Question 5

Sampling error occurs when the sample does not perfectly represent the population under study.

Accepted Answer

Sampling error results from the fact that a sample is only a subset of the population, and there may be differences between the characteristics of the sample and the population. This can lead to inaccuracies in the generalization of the findings from the sample to the population.

Question 6

Sample bias is introduced into the sample when the sample varies in some systematic way from the larger population.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Sample bias occurs when the sample is not representative of the larger population in some way, such as over-representing or under-representing certain groups.

Question 7

Sample bias can be reduced by increasing the sample size.

Accepted Answer

Increasing the sample size reduces sampling error but does not address sample bias, which is a result of non-representative sampling methods.

Question 8

Random error cannot be avoided, but can be calculated and can be reduced by decreasing the size of the sample.

Accepted Answer

Random error is an inherent part of any experiment and is due to chance. It cannot be calculated or reduced by decreasing the sample size. In fact, increasing the sample size can help reduce the impact of random error by increasing the precision of the measurements.

Question 9

Non-sampling error is introduced into the research results from any source other than sampling.

Accepted Answer

Non-sampling error can arise from a variety of factors such as data collection errors, response errors, non-response errors, measurement errors, and analysis errors. These errors can affect the accuracy and reliability of the research results.

Question 10

The target population is the universe about which the researcher wishes to gather data.

Accepted Answer

The target population is indeed the universe about which the researcher wishes to gather data. It is the group or population that the researcher is interested in studying and drawing conclusions about based on the information gathered.

Question 11

The sampling frame is the list of the members of the sample.

Accepted Answer

The sampling frame is the list of all possible members of the population, not just the sample. The sample is a subset of the population chosen from the sampling frame.

Question 12

The sampling frame can be the process used to select the sample.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The sampling frame can be the process...

Question 13

The goal of developing an appropriate sample frame is to get a list of elements of the target population that is inclusive but with minimal duplication.

Accepted Answer

Developing an appropriate sample frame involves creating a list of all elements in the target population, while minimizing duplication and ensuring inclusivity.

Question 14

The size of the sample will be a function of the accuracy of the sample.

Accepted Answer

The sample size needs to be larger if more accuracy is desired in the sample. Therefore, the size of the sample is a function of the accuracy required.

Question 15

Two criteria are used in measuring the accuracy of a sample: the margin of error and the sample size.

Accepted Answer

The accuracy of a sample is primarily measured by the margin of error and the confidence level, not the sample size. The sample size affects the margin of error but is not a direct measure of accuracy.

Question 16

Whether a sample is a probability sample or a nonprobability sample, the important aspect is to obtain as much representative information as possible and eliminate as much sampling and nonsampling error as possible.

Accepted Answer

The statement is true. Obtaining representative information and reducing errors are important regardless of the type of sample used.

Question 17

Probability samples are those samples where each element has an equal chance to be included in the sample.

Accepted Answer

Probability samples are those where each element in the population has a known, non-zero chance of being selected, but not necessarily an equal chance.

Question 18

Nonprobability sampling allows for the calculation of the sample error.

Accepted Answer

Nonprobability sampling does not rely on random selection, so it is not possible to calculate the sample error in a statistically valid way.

Question 19

Nonprobability samples are always less representative than probability samples.

Accepted Answer

Nonprobability samples can sometimes provide valuable insights or data, especially in cases where probability sampling is impractical or impossible. The representativeness of a sample depends on the context and how it is used, rather than solely on whether it is a probability or nonprobability sample.

Question 20

From a statistical point of view, probability sampling is preferred because it allows a calculation of the sampling error.

Accepted Answer

Probability sampling allows for random sampling of a population, which ensures that each individual has an equal chance of being selected. This allows for the calculation of the sampling error, which is the difference between the sample statistic and the true population parameter. Non-probability sampling methods do not allow for the calculation of sampling error, making probability sampling the preferred method from a statistical point of view.

Quiz 9: Sampling Methods and Sample Size

The large group of interest to the researcher is called the population or the universe.

A census means that only a selected portion of the entire population is surveyed.

A sample is the term that refers to the group surveyed any time the survey is not administered to all members of the population.

Significant advantages of sampling include cost savings, time economy, more in-depth information, lower total error, greater practicality, and greater security.

Sampling error occurs when the sample does not perfectly represent the population under study.

Sample bias is introduced into the sample when the sample varies in some systematic way from the larger population.

Sample bias can be reduced by increasing the sample size.

Random error cannot be avoided, but can be calculated and can be reduced by decreasing the size of the sample.

Non-sampling error is introduced into the research results from any source other than sampling.

The target population is the universe about which the researcher wishes to gather data.

The sampling frame is the list of the members of the sample.

The sampling frame can be the process used to select the sample.

The goal of developing an appropriate sample frame is to get a list of elements of the target population that is inclusive but with minimal duplication.

The size of the sample will be a function of the accuracy of the sample.

Two criteria are used in measuring the accuracy of a sample: the margin of error and the sample size.

Whether a sample is a probability sample or a nonprobability sample, the important aspect is to obtain as much representative information as possible and eliminate as much sampling and nonsampling error as possible.

Probability samples are those samples where each element has an equal chance to be included in the sample.

Nonprobability sampling allows for the calculation of the sample error.

Nonprobability samples are always less representative than probability samples.

From a statistical point of view, probability sampling is preferred because it allows a calculation of the sampling error.